System and Method For Fitting Prescription Lenses To Smart Glasses Using an Auxiliary Display Screen

The present application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/952,968, filed Nov. 19, 2024.

The present invention relates to the systems and methodologies used to properly fit prescription lenses into eyeglasses. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods that fit prescription lenses into the complex structure of smart glasses.

In the growing age of technology, many companies, such as Apple®, Google® and Meta® have integrated electronics into eyeglasses. Such eyeglasses are commercially known as “smart glasses” in the electronics industry and are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 9,285,592 to Olsson and U.S. Pat. No. 9,075,249 to Heinrich. When smart glasses are sold to the public, the vast majority of smart glasses sold are selected from a limited number of frame types and lens types that are offered by the source company. The lenses in the smart glasses typically have no optical power. However, as the popularity of smart glasses increases, the number of frames that are available has also increased. It is anticipated that in the near future, smart glasses technology can be incorporated into any eyeglass frame types that has enough room to hold the required electronics.

Currently, some companies enable a consumer to purchase customized smart glasses that contain prescription lenses. In such a scenario, a consumer must have an existing eyeglass prescription and must forward the prescription to the manufacturer. The manufacturer creates lenses in accordance with the prescription and assembles those lenses into the smart glasses. The peripheral dimensions of the lenses cannot be changed because the lenses must be fit into the complicated assembly of the smart glasses. The initial prescription is obtained in the standard manner. That is, the prescription is obtained from vision tests performed by an optometrist or similar eyecare professional. However, when the eyeglass prescription is created, the dimensions of the lenses used within smart glasses are not considered. Thus, certain measurements must be obtained to compensate for the dimensional requirements and lens glass types used in smart glasses.

In order for prescription lenses to be most effective, the manufacturing of the lenses should take into account the dimensions and shape of the frames to which the prescription lenses are going to be applied. Furthermore, custom fabrication of the lenses should also be varied to accommodate the anatomical features of the person who will wear the eyeglass frames. When prescription lenses are fitted for a particular set of frames and for a particular person, several measurements must be made in order to ensure that the prescription lenses are fabricated properly. The needed measurements are commonly referred to as “ophthalmic measurements” in the industry. Many of the needed ophthalmic measurements depend solely upon the style and model of the eyeglass frames selected. Other ophthalmic measurements depend upon the anatomy of the person being fitted. Still other ophthalmic measurements depend upon how the eyeglass frames sit upon the face when being worn in a normal manner and how an individual looks through their eyewear lenses when performing various daily activities.

In addition to a person's facial anatomy, the position of the head and the posture of the body also have significant effects on the proper fitting of eyeglasses. Few people have a fully erect posture and view their environment by only looking straight ahead. Rather, most people have a slight slouch. Furthermore, most people look slightly downward as they walk or when they sit. Some people also have a tendency to tilt their head to one side or another as they drive or read. Each one of these head positions causes a person to look through a slightly different section of the lenses in a set of eyeglasses.

In order to obtain all the anatomical measurements needed, eyeglass frames are worn by an individual. An optician or other technician then uses a variety of instruments to quantify the measurement variables needed to properly create prescription lenses for those eyeglass frames on that individual. However, when a consumer is purchasing smart glasses, this cannot be done. Due to the sophistication of the smart glasses, the smart glasses are not currently assembled in an eyeglass store or in an optometrist's office. Rather, smart glasses are assembled in the facilities of the smart glasses manufacturer. This is currently required because with smart glasses, electronic elements are integrated into, onto, and/or adjacent the lenses. The equipment needed to integrate the lenses into the frames is only found at the manufacturer's facilities. In future designs, it should be anticipated that the lenses of smart glasses will be made to be interchangeable and that prescription lenses can be manufactured and installed in the facilities of an optometrist or other eyecare professional.

In the prior art, there are systems that enable an individual to purchase prescription eyewear in a remote fashion. Some prior art systems use virtual 3D models of both the user's face and of the eyeglass frames. The virtual eyeglass frames are then superimposed over the virtual face to assess aesthetics and fit. Such prior art systems are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 9,817,248 to Yang. These prior art systems are sufficient for viewing the way eyeglasses look on a person. However, such systems simply position virtual eyeglasses in front of a virtual face. There are no adjustments for how gravity causes the eyeglasses to rest on the nose or how a person orients his/her head. Accordingly, any measurements that are obtained from such virtual model systems are only estimates and are not completely accurate.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0257839 to Suter, and U.S. Pat. No. 10,831,042 to El-Hajal et al. show prior art systems that enable a person to buy prescription eyewear online. The systems take an existing prescription for eyewear and adapt the prescription to any set of eyeglass frames that are selected online by the user. However, these systems rely on imagery of the person wearing the eyeglasses. The images are taken at different angles that can offset the measurements being made.

In most smart glasses, electronics exist that include various sensors and often a camera. The sensors include inclinometers and/or accelerometers. These sensors are typically used to detect the position of the head for the purposes of playing games or controlling various other running software. It has been discovered that the existing electronics in a set of smart glasses can be used to help obtain the ophthalmic measurements needed to properly fit the smart glasses with prescription lenses. The details of the invention are described and claimed below.

The present invention is a system and method for fabricating prescription lenses for smart glasses, wherein the smart glasses include a first camera. To fabricate the lenses, a lens prescription is obtained for a user. Frames for smart glasses are selected from those commercially available. The user selects and wears the frames that are selected.

Using a first technique, a second camera is positioned to view the person wearing the smart glasses. A reference pattern of known dimensions is provided, wherein the reference pattern is at a known position relative to the second camera. The reference pattern can be any graphic or object that has known dimensions for measurement scale reference. The reference pattern is imaged with the first camera in the smart glasses. This produces a reference pattern image that is used to calculate the relative posit. Ion between the first camera and the second camera. With the relative position between cameras determined, the second camera is used to take at least one user image of the person wearing the frames. The user image(s) are analyzed with a scale determined from the relative position in space between the first camera and the second camera to determine the ophthalmic measurements needed to manufacture lenses for the frames.

Using the same equipment, a second technique can also be utilized. In the second technique, the second camera is part of a device that has a display screen. A reference pattern of known dimensions is provided, wherein the reference pattern is at a known position relative to the second camera. The second camera images the user wearing the frames and produces at least one display image. The display image is shown on the display screen. The display screen is viewed with the first camera in the smart glasses. Accordingly, the first camera collects at least one reimage of both the user wearing the frames and the reference pattern located at a known position in space from the second camera. The reimage is analyzed to determine the ophthalmic measurements needed to manufacture lenses for the frames.

Although the present invention system and method can be used to accurately fabricate prescription lenses for a variety of smart glasses, only two exemplary embodiments are illustrated. These embodiments are exemplary and are presented for education and discussion. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments should not be considered as limitations in the interpretation of the appended claims.

For the purposes of this description, “smart glasses” shall be considered all eyeglasses that have electronics that, among other features, include a camera and the ability to image. The smart glasses can optionally contain electronics able to produce positional data such as the angle of the eyeglass frames relative to the vertical plane. The term “eyeglass frames” shall be considered to be the frames of the smart glasses that contain the camera.

1 FIG. 10 12 14 16 16 18 20 Referring to, it will be understood that a system userwho wants prescription lenses to be manufactured into a set of smart glassesmust first visit an optometrist or similarly qualified person in order to obtain a corrective lens prescription. Typically, an eye exam is conducted using diagnostic equipment, such as a phoropter. The diagnostic information obtained from the eye exam is used to generate prescription data. The prescription datacan be stored in a cloud accessible databasethat is accessed through a data network, such as the Worldwide Web.

16 16 10 16 An eye exam need not be performed to use the present invention system. If prescription datais required, the prescription datacan be obtained from records of old exams or even by analyzing the current eyewear of the user. It will therefore be understood that the prescription datais obtained from some source and may be presented in many formats including a written prescription.

16 10 24 12 22 10 24 24 10 Once the prescription datais obtained from some source, the userselects the eyeglass framesof the smart glassesinto which the prescription lenses are to be mounted. See Block. The usercan bring their own eyeglass frames. Alternately, samples of eyeglass framesare made available to the userat a fitting.

12 26 27 12 28 28 10 12 30 26 12 30 31 32 30 32 34 30 32 The smart glassescontain a first camerawith a first field of view. The smart glassescontain a first processoror is linked to a device that contains a first processor. The userwho is being fitted for the smart glassesis positioned proximate a second camerathat is separate and distinct from the first cameraof the smart glasses. The second camerahas a second field of viewand is linked to a second processor. The second cameraand second processorcan be separate components. However, it is preferred that an electronic device, such as a tablet computer, laptop computer, or smartphone, be used that contains both the second cameraand the second processor.

36 30 34 30 36 36 36 27 26 12 36 38 36 36 30 A reference patternis provided at a known position relative to the second camerain the electronic device. As a result, the relative position between the second cameraand the reference patternis known. The reference patterncan be any pattern or object with known dimensions. The reference patternis also positioned within the first field of viewof the first camerain the smart glasses. In the shown embodiment, the reference patternis shown as a checkered patternthat contains checker squares of known dimensions. Alternatively, the reference patterncan be any object that has known dimensions, such as a coin, or a piece of paper currency. The reference patterncan also be a sticker or photo that precisely images an object of known dimensions and is at a known relative position in space from the second camera.

2 FIG. 1 FIG. 24 12 10 40 36 27 26 42 36 30 26 12 36 12 31 30 36 30 44 26 12 36 28 12 Referring toin conjunction with, it will be understood that the framesof the smart glassesare selected and worn by a user. See Block. The reference patternis positioned in the first field of viewof the first camera. See Block. The position of the reference patternin space relative to the second camerais known. The first camerain the smart glassesis used to view the target area so that the reference patterncan be imaged. This produces a reference pattern image with a known dimensional scale. Likewise, the smart glassesare in the second field of viewof the second camera. The reference patternis at a known position relative to the second camera. As is indicated by Block, the first camerain the smart glassesimages the reference patternin the target area. This produces a reference pattern image within the first processorlinked to the smart glasses.

28 12 36 36 30 26 30 46 26 30 32 The first processorthat is linked to the smart glassesuses the reference pattern image of the reference patternto calculate the relative position in space between the first camera and the second camera. As a result, the relative position in space between the first camera and the second camera is calculated. Since the relative positions between the reference patternand the second camerais known, the relative position and distance between the first cameraand the second cameracan also be determined. See Block. The relative position and distance between the first cameraand the second camerais communicated to the second processor. This data can be communicated through a wire or wirelessly through various electronic methods or if an electronic displayed pattern is used, by having the pattern change shape based on the relative position in space between the first camera and the second camera, (such as a cube changing direction).

34 30 24 34 26 30 Sensors in electronic devicecan be used to modify the pattern according to the orientation in space of camera. Alternatively, sensors in both the smart glassesand the electronic devicecan be used in conjunction, through electronic communication and processing in both devices, to modify the pattern to display relative orientation between the first cameraand the second camera.

10 12 31 30 30 51 10 12 32 30 51 35 48 50 26 30 51 32 30 53 24 10 52 53 53 26 30 51 54 The userwearing the smart glassesis in the second field of viewof the second camera. The second camerais used to produce imagesof the userwearing the smart glasses. The second processorthat is linked to the second cameraanalyses the imageswith operational software. See Blockand Block. The relative positions in space between the first cameraand the second camerais known, as is the scale of the images. The second processorthat is linked to the second camerathen identifies common measurement pointson the eyeglass framesand the face of the user. See Block. Common measurement pointsinclude measurement points that are traditionally used to obtain ophthalmic measurements. Common measurement points can also be identified on the image manually by the operator. With the key measurement pointsidentified and with the scale and relative position in space between the first and second cameras,established, various dimensions and measurements needed to fabricate lenses can be taken from the images. See Block.

3 FIG. 1 FIG. 24 10 Referring toin conjunction with, it will be understood that certain measurements must be taken from the eyeglass framesthat reference the anatomy of the user. Collectively, some of the variables that are needed to fabricate a set of prescription eyeglasses are present in Table 1 below:

TABLE 1 Frame Dimension Variables A - Lens Length B - Lens Height ED - Effective Diameter GC - Geometrical Centers DL - Datum Line L - Frame Length DBL - Distance Between Lenses FWA - Frame Wrap Angle Anatomical Dependent Variables PH - Pupil Height PD - Pupil Distance PTA - Pantoscopic Tilt Angle RVD - Rear Vertex Distance

3 FIG. 3 FIG. 51 10 24 12 24 60 62 24 62 24 24 24 62 12 shows the imageof a userwearing the eyeglass framesof smart glasses. The eyeglass frameshave lens openingswhich can be fitted with prescription lensesby the manufacturer. Referring to Table 1 in conjunction with, it will be understood that each model and style of eyeglass frameshas its own critical dimensions that must be known in order to shape the prescription lensesfor the eyeglass frames. Those measurement variables include the overall peripheral shape of the eyeglass frames. Eyeglass framesretain the prescription lensesin a lens plane. Typically, the lens plane associated with smart glassesis at a slight angle relative to the vertical. This tilt angle is sometimes referred to as the “device panto” in the industry. The tilt of the lens plane is also affected by the tilt angle of the user's head. This tilt angle is caused by posture and the way an individual holds his/her head. The device panto is a difficult measurement to assess from a single face-front image.

24 62 62 62 24 Within the overall shape of the eyeglass framesare the lens length “A” and the lens height “B”. There is an effective diameter “ED” as measured through the geometric center “GC” of each lens. The geometric centers “GC” of both lensesalign horizontally on the datum line “DL”. The distance between the geometric centers “DBC” is the distance between the geometric centers “GC” in the horizontal plane. The frame length “L” is the distance between temples in the horizontal plane. The bridge size, or distance between lenses “DBL,” is the minimum distance between the left and right lenses. The frame wrap angle “FWA” describes the horizontal angle of the lens plane in front of the eyes. The pantoscopic tilt angle “PTA” corresponds to the total vertical tilt of the lens plane. The proper pantoscopic tilt angle “PTA” for an individual is highly dependent upon the natural head posture of the individual. This is due to the vertical plane being a constant and any downward tilt of the head directly changing the tilt of the eyeglass framesrelative to the vertical plane. As such, the pantoscopic tilt angle “PTA” is the sum of the tilt angle caused by the device panto plus the tilt angle cause by head posture.

24 62 Other measurements that depend upon the anatomy of the individual wearing the eyeglass framesinclude pupil height “PH”, pupil distance “PD”, and rear vertex distance “RVD”. The pupil height “PH” is the measured height of the pupils above the bottom of the prescription lenses. The pupil distance “PD” is the distance between pupils in the horizontal plane. The rear vertex distance “RVD” is the gap distance between the pupil and the lens at the point of the line of sight from the pupil to the camera.

62 10 62 62 62 51 12 The pantoscopic tilt angle “PTA,” pupil height “PH” and the rear vertex distance “RVD” are measurements that depend upon how the prescription lensesare held in front of the eyes. These measurements also depend upon how the usernormally orients his/her head when looking through the prescription lenses, which determines the points on the lenseswhere the line of sight passes through the lenses. Most, if not all, of the measurements of Table 1 are readily obtained from the captured imagesof the smart glasseswhen worn.

10 10 10 12 62 51 24 51 12 51 What is not known is how much the userchanges the orientation of his/her head when the userreads, drives, stands, walks, watches television, or otherwise performs ordinary tasks while wearing eyeglasses. If the userhas a slight slouch or downward head inclination, the tilt angle affects the overall pantoscopic tilt angle “PTA” of the smart glasseswhen worn. Variations to the pantoscopic tilt angle “PTA,” can also affect pupil height “PH” and rear vertex distance “RVD.” All three affect the line of sight through the prescription lenses. These variables may or may not be discernable from the collected images, depending upon the make and model of the eyeglass frames. If these variables cannot be accurately ascertained from the images, then these variables can be determined using various data obtained from the electronics in the smart glassesor alternatively, by taking multiple display imagesfrom different perspectives, or through other techniques.

12 34 10 12 34 34 30 70 34 34 70 30 51 30 4 FIG. With the smart glassesand the electronic deviceoriented in the manner previously described, alternate methods can be utilized to obtain the ophthalmic measurement needed to fill a lens prescription. Referring to, the same components as previously described are again shown. In this exemplary embodiment, the userwho is being fitted for the smart glassescan be positioned in front of an electronic deviceor vice versa. The electronic deviceselected has both a second cameraand a display monitor. The electronic devicecan be a tablet, laptop, or smartphone. Alternatively, the electronic devicecan be an assembly, such as a table top computer with monitor and camera. In all examples, the display monitorhas access to the second cameraand can display the imagescaptured by the second camera. A mirror can also be used.

10 24 30 72 10 24 70 74 72 74 74 70 72 10 24 72 74 26 26 30 In one exemplary embodiment, the userplaces the eyeglass frameson his/her head and is imaged by the second camera. This produces a display imageof the userwearing the eyeglass framesand is shown on the display monitor. A software generated reference patternis added to the display image. The reference patternis a specific visual pattern of known dimensions. The reference patternis shown on the display monitorin addition to the display imageof the userand eyeglass frames. Scaling is determined when display imagewith the reference patternis imaged by the first cameraand processed to determine the relative position in space and distance between the first cameraand the second camera.

74 72 As an alternate of showing the reference patternon a screen with the display imagecan be the use of a physical pattern of known dimensions. The physical pattern can be an object such as a sticker with a checkerboard. The sticker can be attached to a display or mirror. Alternatively, the physical pattern can be an object of known shape and dimensions. For example, the smart glasses can function as the pattern if the dimensions of the smart glasses are known.

74 72 74 74 72 26 30 34 12 34 30 24 34 26 30 In the shown embodiment, the reference patternis shown as a checkered block that is located in one of the corners of the display image. This is merely exemplary, and it should be understood that the reference patterncan be any graphic or object that has known dimensions. Furthermore, the reference patterncan be displayed at any point within the display image. However, a more detailed orientation and position in space can be obtained if an electronically displayed pattern is used. An electronically displayed can change shape based on the relative position in space between the first cameraand the second camera, such as a cube changing direction. Alternatively, the orientation and position in space data can be transmitted between the electronic deviceand smart glasses. Sensors in electronic devicecan be used to modify the pattern according to the orientation in space of the second cameraor sensors in both smart glassesand in the electronic devicecan be used in conjunction, through electronic communication and processing in both devices, to modify the pattern to display relative orientation between the first and the second cameras,.

34 30 10 24 70 72 10 24 74 72 72 74 26 12 72 74 26 26 30 The electronic devicecontains the second camerathat is directed toward the userwearing the eyeglass frames. The display monitorshows a display imageof the userwearing the eyeglass frames. Once the reference patternis added to the display image, the display imagewith the added reference pattern, is then viewed by the first camerain the smart glasses. The scale becomes known once the display imagewith patternis imaged by the first cameraand processed to determine the relative position in space and distance between the first cameraand the second camera.

30 24 24 70 70 Although the figures show use of a square checkerboard reference pattern, other objects can serve as a scale. For example, if the eyeglass frameshave known dimensions, the eyeglass framesthemselves can serve as the image scale. Likewise, if the display monitorhas known dimensions, the display monitorcan serve as a scale. Alternatively, a sticker of known dimension, or a sticker containing an image of known dimensions can be used.

12 26 26 12 30 34 72 70 26 24 12 76 12 78 78 78 74 76 24 The smart glassescontain the first camera. The first camerain the smart glassesis separate and distinct from the second cameraof the electronic device. The display imageon the display monitoris viewed by the first camerain the eyeglass framesof the smart glasses. This creates a reimage. The smart glassesmay run operational softwareor may be linked to an external computer that runs the operational software. The operational softwarecan use the reference patterncaptured in the reimageto determine many of the dimensional features of the eyeglass frames.

24 76 12 12 78 12 26 30 34 12 34 30 24 34 26 30 Although many dimensional features of the eyeglass framescan be determined by taking scaled measurements from the reimage, some measurements can also be taken using the electronics within the smart glasses. The smart glassesoften contain one or more sensor devices such as inclinometer(s). The readings from sensor devices are utilized by the operational software. Sensor devices have the ability to measure a variety of relevant position data such as an inclination angle of the smart glassesrelative to a reference plane. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, the displayed pattern may have the ability to change shape. By having an electronically displayed pattern change shape based on the relative position in space between the first cameraand the second camera, that orientation and position in space data can be transmitted between the electronic deviceand smart glasses. Sensors in electronic devicecan be used to modify the pattern according to the orientation in space of the second camera. Alternatively, sensors in both smart glassesand in the electronic devicecan be used in conjunction to modify the pattern to display relative orientation between the first cameraand the second camera.

76 78 76 10 24 74 76 24 11 74 24 10 Both the reimageand the position data are processed by the operational software. The reimageshows the face and head of the userwearing the eyeglass frameswith a reference pattern. Accordingly, the reimageshows the physical features of the eyeglass framesin relation to the anatomical features of the user's head. Using the reference pattern, both the frontal features of eyeglass framesand the usercan be directly measured in a known scale and/or spatial orientation.

5 FIG. 4 FIG. 24 12 80 24 10 26 12 82 12 78 83 Referring toin conjunction with, the details of the operation of the present invention system are described. In order to utilize the system, eyeglass framesfor a set of smart glassesare selected. See Block. The eyeglass framesare worn by the userand the first camerawithin the smart glassesis activated. See Block. The smart glassesare either loaded with operational softwareor are electronically linked to a remote computer device that is running the operational software. See Block.

84 70 30 30 70 10 24 30 72 10 70 72 86 26 30 34 12 34 As indicated by Block, the display monitoris activated along with its second camera. The second cameraof the display monitoris directed toward the userwearing the eyeglass frames. The second cameracaptures the display imageof the user, wherein the display monitorshows the display images. See Block. A pattern of known size and configuration is placed within the field of view of cameraand at a known position in space from the second camera. The pattern can be either physical or displayed electronically on the screen. The pattern may change shape based on the orientation of electronic deviceor based on relative position in space between the smart glassesand the electronic device.

26 12 70 72 74 76 88 76 78 24 10 74 76 62 24 90 12 92 94 12 78 The first cameraof the smart glassesis directed toward the display monitorand captures the display imagesand patternbeing displayed. This produces the reimage. See Block. The reimageis processed. Using the operational software, the features of the eyeglass framesand the userare measured with reference to the reference pattern. From the scaled reimage, most, if not all, of the measurements needed to fabricate the prescription lensesfor the eyeglass framescan be determined. See Block. If not all required measurements can be obtained, the other electronics within the smart glassescan be used to obtain supplemental data. See Blockand Block. As previously stated, the smart glassesalso contain one or more sensor devices, such as an inclinometers, that can send position data to the operational software.

72 62 12 26 12 In the system and method described above, only one display imageneeds to be captured to generate the measurements required to produce proper prescription lenses. However, one image may be insufficient to obtain panto tilt angle “PTA,” which effects both pupil height “PH” and rear vertex distance “RVD.” As stated, the sensors in the smart glassescan be used to determine these variables. However, another solution is possible. If the first camerain the smart glassesis used to take multiple pictures from different angles, the panto tilt angle is measurable with or without the need of sensor data.

6 FIG. 4 FIG. 72 70 10 12 10 70 26 12 70 70 30 70 10 30 70 30 30 10 72 70 72 72 10 70 72 72 78 Referring to, in conjunction with, a display imageis shown on the display monitor, wherein a side view of the userwearing the smart glassesis shown. Obviously, since the useris not facing the display monitor, the first camerain the smart glassescannot directly view the display monitor. This can be corrected by placing a timed capture feature into the display monitor. The second cameraof the display monitorcan be set to take a picture a few seconds after activation. In this manner, the usercan activate the second cameraof the display monitorand face the second cameraat an offset angle. The second cameracaptures the offset userand presents the offset display imageon the display monitor. The offset imagewill remain on screen until cleared or until a preset period of time passes. After the offset display imageis displayed, the usercan face the display monitorand the offset display image. This can be done once or multiple times. The data contained within the offset display imageis used by the operational softwareto calculate the panto tilt angle and any other required measurement that is unclear from the analysis of the face-forward image.

10 70 70 30 70 10 10 30 Alternatively, the usercan retain visual contact with the display monitorand merely move his/her head while the display monitorremains in the field of view. Orientation change can be achieved by moving the second cameraof the display monitorand/or by the useradjusting his/her head posture. For example, the usercan tilt his/her head downward while continuing to face and looking into the lens of the second camera. This provides stereo and/or panoramic image sets that enable stereo-based calculations for improved or additional eyewear measurements. The ability to alter the reference pattern outlined earlier can also be employed here to indicate the relative change in orientation between various images.

It will be understood that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention system that are illustrated are merely exemplary and that many aspects of the system can be redesigned in manners that are functionally equivalent. All such variations, modifications and alternate embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as claimed.